Medellín offers an excellent range of bars and clubs across the city, with each offering a different style, energy, atmosphere, and musical focus. Most visitors will focus on Poblado, and this can be great, but there is so much more here, and it can be great to explore.
In this article, I will discuss some of the best clubs in Medellín and suggest some options depending on what you are looking for.
Where to Party in Medellín?
Provenza is a closed street that has become the center for bars and clubs in Medellín. They have an excellent range of options from mid-size clubs to smaller bars, restaurants, and street food. If in doubt, then Provenza is a fun, safe, and easy option for a great night out.
La 70 in Laureles is another excellent option. The street runs from Estadio metro station up to the UPB university with dozens of bars and clubs, plus a few good food options. It is very safe and attracts all sorts of people, but also has a bit more of a local feel. Prices are also a fair bit cheaper than clubs in Poblado.
Palmas is the street that runs above Poblado and heads out towards the airport. This area of the city has great views and has some slightly larger bars and clubs. You will also find some really good restaurants. Prices can be a bit higher, and you will need to get a taxi, but there are a dozen or so really nice clubs which offer a very fun, comfortable, and high-end experience.
Manila is a neighborhood down from the main party areas of Poblado. You won’t find any large clubs, but there are a few nice bars plus hostels which have rooftop parties. A nice place to start your evening before heading elsewhere for a club.
Envigado is a municipality to the south of Medellín, but is a very short drive from the main tourist areas of Poblado. This has a little bit more of a small-town feel, but you can find some fun bars and a handful of really lively clubs. Definitely worth a night out in Envigado, but don’t expect very large, modern nightclubs.
Parque Lleras was once the best place to go in Medellín, but it is now somewhere I would always avoid. There are one or two bars in the area still worth a visit, but the park is now notorious for prostitution and drug dealers. Bars in this area have also been in legal trouble for ripping off and extorting tourists.
I would strongly recommend heading a few streets up to Provenza or down to Parque Poblado and Manila.
Barrio Colombia is located just north of Poblado and is close to Industriales metro station. It is a neighborhood full of warehouses, but in the evening, there are a good number of larger clubs with modern interiors and unique designs. These are more similar to clubs you might find in Europe. You should always get a taxi directly to the club and avoid walking around, but it can be a fun night out.
El Centro has a good selection of bars and clubs, but there are large areas of downtown that can be particularly dangerous at night. If you have a particular club in mind, you can get a taxi in and back home without any issues, but I strongly recommend going with a plan. They have some bars and clubs full of character, personality, and a unique energy, but take care.
Comuna 13 is increasingly a viable option for partying in the evening. It was once one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Colombia, and over time, it became a symbol of rejuvenation in the city. Up until recently, it was only a spot for tours in the day, but there are now some really fun rooftop parties. Take care in the neighborhood at night and definitely get in and out in a taxi.
I played a football tournament in Comuna 13 at night, which ended with me hiding behind the counter in a local store during a prolonged gun battle in the street, so I would still recommend caution.
Other excellent party spots are Manrique and Buenos Aires, but they aren’t yet popular tourist spots, and I would suggest going with locals who know the area. Both excellent options though and two which will become increasingly popular.
Salón Amador
One of the best clubs in Medellin for intense electronic music and a sophisticated ambience
Once a traditional, elegant dance hall, Amador retains the style and elegance but now offers cutting-edge electronic music in a spectacular setting. This is now one of the most popular clubs in the city, so reservations are always recommended.
Their lineup of internationally acclaimed electronic artists has included the likes of Lee Foss, Octave One, M.A.N.D.Y, Roman Flugel, Scuba, and No Regular Play. The club is open from 10pm to 4am on Thursday, Fridaya and Saturday nights. The club has a combination of classic design with a cutting edge sound system and lights.
Bolivar
One of the best clubs in Medellín for wild reggaeton in a stylish tropical setting
Bolivar has a style inspired by 1940s Cuba and 1980s Miami with a real classic, tropical feel. The club is over two floors with balconies overlooking the main dance floor and a retractable roof.
A beautiful venue in the heart of Poblado with great music, sound system, and dancers. Expect reggaeton mixed in with some dancehall, champeta, trap, and other Latin music. They have really good cocktails as well as bottles with table service. This is one of the more high-end clubs in Poblado, so make sure you are dressed appropriately to get in. Leave the chancletas at home for this one.
Amarna Única
One of the best clubs in Medellin for a unique experience with varied music and a fun atmosphere
Armana Única is possibly the biggest club on this list, set in a large warehouse in Barrio Colombia. They have very high ceilings, and it is a big open space with a stage, a bar in the center, and tables. The club has an ancient Egyptian theme with Cleopatra hosting alongside some buff Egyptians. Dancers on the ball and a fun theme throughout.
They have a real mix of music all night, and it is a spot that is always fun. A bit unusual but recommended and with fair prices. Go there and back in a taxi which is a short ride from Laureles and Poblado.
Dulcinea
One of the best clubs in Medellín for big artists and a top sound system in the heart of Laureles
Dulcinea is located in Laureles, but with the high-profile artists, impressive stage, lighting, sound system, and style you would expect in a high-end Poblado venue.
The club has high ceilings and a big, open central space divided into private seating spaces. It has a similar setup to what you will see at the major concerts at the stadium, but you are, of course, closer to the stage and more comfortable. Music is a mix with a lot of reggaeton but also vallenatos and live bands.
They have a stylish clientele, plus lots of influencers and famous artists. An excellent alternative in Laureles to the top Poblado clubs that foreign visitors are usually drawn to.
La Chula Urbana
One of the best clubs in Medellin for cocktails and Mexican mariachis, followed by a crossover party
This is a Mexican restaurant, bar, and club set in the hills of Medellín overlooking the city on Las Palmas. It is a great option if you want somewhere to go for dinner, live music, and then a wild party.
La Chula is a beautiful, modern restaurant with very good Mexican food and cocktails. They have a huge live Mariachi band that performs throughout the evening with some reggaeton and salsa mixed in. This is a great place to start the evening as a cocktail turns into a bottle of tequila with friends.
Once you are ready to take the party to another level, La Chula Urbana is located within the same property and is a very good club with lots of reggaeton, dancehall, and other music. A good option if you want a full evening’s entertainment in the same location, a short drive from Provenza.
Teatro Victoria
One of the best clubs in Medellin for multiple excellent bars with varied, excellent music
Teatro Victoria is located on the main street through Provenza and is a really popular option. The venue is designed like a classic 1950s cinema offering a range of experiences.
Super 8 is a wild reggaeton spot in the basement, 100 Fuegos focuses on “crossover” (a mix of everything from salsa, merengue, bachata to electronica, reggaeton, and dancehall), and La Fabulosa offers a bit of everything with a focus on dramatic heartbreak music Colombians love to sing at full voice. The rooftop has a very nice restaurant with a more relaxed atmosphere and great cocktails
A nice spot where you can go for dinner and stay for the party. Entry is 30,000 COP for one room or 40,000 if you want to sample everything Victoria has to offer.
Pub Rock
One of the best clubs in Medellin, drinking, dancing, and singing rock classics at full voice.
Pub Rock has become an institution in Medellín, with a large group of locals who come every week to sing their favorite rock classics at full voice. The original Pub Rock is on La 33 in Laureles, while they opened a larger second venue in Poblado.
The bands at both are exceptionally good, and they play cover versions of the very best rock music in English and Spanish from over the decades. They offer food, drinks are fairly priced, and the night will end with everyone singing and dancing. A great experience,e and writing this makes me want to head back this weekend.
The Laureles location has more of a local feel, with everyone knowing the words to every song, while Poblado is a little bigger and more modern. Both are great options.
Son Havana
One of the best clubs in Medellín for dancing to salsa and enjoying live music.
Son Havana is a great place to enjoy live salsa music, dance, and soak in the culture. The first location opened in Laureles, and they have now also opened a spot in Poblado. They have great live performances with everyone up and dancing. You can also go for salsa classes with the excellent teachers.
Everything about Son Havana is classic, celebrating Cuba and salsa music. Another great salsa option is El Tibiri on la 70. A sweaty basement salsa club that is packed with locals who love to dance and enjoy the music over some beers and a bit of guaro.
Jennylao
One of the best clubs in Medellin for a fun, lively experience of the Pacific, Afro-Colombian culture
Jennylao on la 70 is a beautiful, modern club which brings all of the energy, style, and swagger of the Pacific coast to Medellín. It is a club that is really popular with Afro-Colombians, but where everyone is made welcome.
The club is set over two floors with leather seating facing towards the main stage on the ground floor. Upstairs, there are balconies overlooking the venue, with plenty of space to dance across both levels. They play reggaeton but also lots of dancehall, champeta, and salsa mixed expertly by the excellent DJs.
Lots of dancing and performances, definitely one of the best clubs in Medellín.
